- Lead biosafety and biocontainment for a new world-class laboratory
- Shape safe, compliant operating systems for high-risk environments
- Build future-ready capability within NZ’s biosecurity system
About MPI | Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has a vision to see New Zealand become the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and primary products. Biosecurity New Zealand, a branch of MPI, is central to that mission, protecting our environment, economy, and way of life.
About the Role | Kōrero mō te Tūranga
As Manager, Biosafety, Risk & Containment Systems, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping how a new, high-biocontainment laboratory operates safely, compliantly, and effectively into the future.
Reporting to the Assistant Director, PHEL Transition & Operations, you will lead the design, implementation, and embedding of biosafety, biocontainment, and biological risk management systems as the Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) transitions into a new world-class facility.
While the Assistant Director leads the overall business transition, your focus is on ensuring that containment systems, standards, and practices are robust, practical, and fit for purpose, both during transition and in steady-state operations.
You will be accountable for:
- Leading biosafety and biocontainment systems for the new PHEL facility
- Translating standards (including AS/NZS 2243.3) into practical operating models
- Supporting commissioning, certification, and readiness of high-containment environments
- Embedding biological risk management, SOPs, and quality systems into daily operations
- Building capability and maturity across biosafety and containment disciplines
- Partnering closely with engineers, scientists, and operational leaders to manage risk
- Leading and developing specialist teams as the function grows
About You | Mōu
You are a credible biosafety or biocontainment leader who brings strong technical grounding together with pragmatic, people-centred leadership.
You are comfortable operating in regulated, high-risk environments and know how to balance assurance with delivery. You enjoy working alongside highly experienced technical specialists and have the confidence to influence how systems are designed, embedded, and improved over time.
The ideal candidate will bring:
- Demonstrated experience in high-biocontainment or regulated laboratory environments
- Strong working knowledge of biosafety and containment standards, including AS/NZS 2243.3
- Experience leading specialist or technical teams through change or system uplift
- A practical mindset, focused on workable solutions rather than theoretical compliance
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to build trust across disciplines
- Sound judgement and a calm, methodical approach to managing risk
Ready to Make a Difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
This is a rare opportunity to shape the biosafety and biocontainment systems underpinning one of New Zealand’s most important biosecurity investments.
IN SIDE Recruitment are assisting MPI with the recruitment of this role. If you are interested, please apply now and include your cover letter and CV.
For a confidential discussion contact either Jeremy McLeod at jeremy@inside.co.nz or Fraser Leith at Fraser@inside.co.nz.
Applications close Monday 2nd February at 2pm.
Note: Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory. This role requires a Ministry of Justice criminal history check and the ability to obtain security clearance.
